Hair and scalp treatment with a principally sodium chloride thick viscous aqueous slurry

ABSTRACT

A HAIR CONDITIONER COMPOSITION, USEFUL IN REDUCING THE DRYING TIME OF THE HAIR AFTER WASHING AND CAUSING THE HAIR TO BECOME MORE MANAGEABLE, AND ALSO HAVING DANDRUFF ALLEVIATING PROPERTIES, IS PROVIDED COMPRISING 30-76 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF A SALT OF AT LEAST 60% NAC1 HAVING A PARTICLE SIZE PREFERABLY IN THE RANGE OF 0.00025 TO 0.00125 INCH AND 70-24 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF WATER. THE COMPOSITION MAY ALSO INCLUDE THICKENING AGENTS, A FATTY ALCOHOL, DETERGENT, LANOLINIC MATERIAL, PERFUME AND DYE.

United States Patent Office 3,579,632 Patented May 18, 1971 3,579,632HAIR AND SCALP TREATMENT WITH A PRINCIPALLY SODIUM CHLORIDE THICKVISCOUS AQUEOUS SLURRY Victor G. Sonnen, Broad Brook Road, Hazardville,Conn. 06036 No Drawing. Filed Aug. 2, 1965, Ser. No. 476,640 Int. Cl.A61k 7/06 U.S. Cl. 424-70 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hairconditioner composition, useful in reducing the drying time of the hairafter washing and causing the hair to become more manageable, and alsohaving dandruff alleviating properties, is provided comprising 30-76parts by weight of a salt of at least 60% NaCl having a particle sizepreferably in the range of 0.00025 to 0.00125 inch and 70-24 parts byweight of water. The composition may also include thickening agents, afatty alcohol, detergent, lanolinic material, perfume and dye.

The present invention relates to a hair conditioner and, moreparticularly, to an agent which provides more manageable hair.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a chemical treatmentof the hair and scalp which will tend to alleviate the symptoms ofseborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, commonly called dandruff.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hair rinsewhich may be used after the hair has been cleaned with conventionalsoap, shampoo, or detergent.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide atreatment of the hair which will cause the hair to become moremanageable than would normally be the case immediately after Washing anddrying the hair.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a hairconditioner agent which will shorten the drying time of the hair afterthe hair has been cleaned and rinsed with conventional shampoos.

The use of this hair conditioner is of great importance in any beautysalon in that it provides a saving of a considerable amount of timewhich is normally wasted drying the hair with heated ventilated air.

The following specific examples of formulations in accordance with thisinvention are illustrative only and should not be construed as limitingthe scope of the invention.

These objects of the present invention are provided by treating the hairwith the following formulation:

Parts by weight Salt (at least 60% NaCl) having a particle size lessthan 0.005 inch 30-76 Water 70-24 Thickening agent -20 Fatty alcohol00.2 Detergent 0-3 Lanolin or derivative 0-2 Trace of perfume. Trace ofdye.

At room temperature the above mixture forms a thick viscous slurrycontaining about 26 parts by weight of the salt as a saturated solutionwith the remainder in the form of fine particles suspended therein.

It has been discovered that a brief treatment of the hair and scalp withthe very concentrated salt slurry irnproves the condition of the hairand scalp. It is not presently known whether the concentrated salt actsas an antiseptic or whether the concentrated electrolyte conditionerextracts water and Water soluble impurities from the hair and scalp; theexact mechanism may be a combination of the above or something else. Atany rate, ap plicant does not wish to be limited by these theories butoffers them as a possible explanation of the phenomena observed.

The use of the concentrated salt slurry on unwashed dry hair and scalpis feasible and will accomplish similar results to those describedabove. In most instances, however, it is more convenient to wash thehair before using the electrolyte hair conditioner. Use of the slurrydescribed herein will be effective even on wet hair because the finelydivided salt particles apparently dissolve readily and quickly therebyrendering the Water in the hair into a very concentrated of saturatedsalt solution.

One of the essential features of the present invention resides in theuse of finely divided salt particles. The use of large salt particles isnot satisfactory although the exact reason for this is not known. It maybe that the smaller particles in the slurry are able to reach the scalpand all portions of the hair more easily than larger particles. Inaddition, the finely divided salt particles dissolve readily in water,thereby providing the concentrated salt solution required to conditionthe hair and scalp. Another advantage of the finely divided saltdescribed lies in storage stability, The finely divided salt is far lessprone to undesirable settling out of a thickened salt solution than isunground salt.

Generally it has been found that a particle dimension of 0.00025 to0.00125 inch is optimum for the purposes of the present invention,although a particle size as coarse as 0.005 inch can be utilized. Manyof the particles are odd shaped; reference is to the average distanceacross the particle in its smallest direction, it being understood that,on the average, the largest dimension will also be less than 0.005 inch.

Generally, ballmilling has been found effective for the purpose ofcomminuting salt particles to provide the particles useful in thepresent invention. Sandmills and other grinding machines may beutilized; also the salt may be procured in a finely divided state.

Thickener is preferably used with the salt and Water. Finely ground drysalt can be added to a thickened water solution with agitation of theWater, or the thickener may be stirred in last. In some instances,coarse salt crystals, thickener and water may be ground together.

Many thickening agents retard the grinding operation, although bothorganic and inorganic thickeners can be employed successfully.Hydroxyethyl and carboxymethyl substituted cellulosics are preferablethickening agents. Zero to 2% high molecular weight carboxymethylcellulose, 0.65 to 0.85 carboxyl per cellulose unit, is particularlyeffective. Carboxylated polymers such as polyacrylic acid;polymethacrylic acid; maleicvinyl methyl ether copolymer; simple amidessuch as polyacrylamide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone; and seed and exudednatural gums such as guar seed and gum tragacanth (astragulus extrudate)are useful. Colloidal inorganic thickeners such as colloidal alumina;and Cab-O-Sil (0.05 micron silica) have also been found to besatisfactory thickeners. Adjuvant materials such as ethylene oxideadducts of nonyl phenol assist the thickening action of the silica.

Certain other thickening materials have been found to be unsatisfactory,the high salt concentration tending to destroy the thickening action.Polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene oxide, and methyl cellulose were foundto be unsatisfactory, salt-incompatible, thickening agents. The amountof thickening agent utilized depends on the nature of the agent, themolecular Weight of organic thickening agent (or particle size andadjuvant for inorganic agents), and size and concentration of saltparticles as shown in the table. The range of thickening agent utilizedin the table was 1.2 to 24% of the water content. While the thickeningagent is not required at the maximum salt content of 76% (Example 19),it is generally preferred. Although the #6 spindle rpm. Brookfield(Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Stoughton, Mass.) viscosity isonly 8,000 centipoise with 76% salt and no thickening agent, the packingof the salt crystals is such that a water layer does not rise to thesurface. With lesser quantities of salt than 76%, a salt Water layerseparates unless a thickening agent is present and the slurry must thenbe mixed prior to use. Generally a 10 rpm. Brookfield viscosity of15,000 cp. is the minimum required to retard or prevent separation of asalt water layer. Too high a viscosity, i.e., greater than 75,000 cp.(centipoise), is undesirable because the preparation becomes difiicultto rinse out of the hair. Generally the preferred viscosity is 25,000 to45,000 cp. (Brookfield, l0 r.p.m.).

The table which follows gives the results of a number of examples ofthickening agents utilized with 120 parts of NaCl and 100 parts of waterafter tumbling for hours in a jar mill:

Cit

Polyacrylamide 100 has a viscosity in centipoises at C. of 2%concentration of -50.

PVP K90 has an average molecular weight of 360,000.

Elvanol -42 had a viscosity in cps. of a 4% aqueous solution at 20 C. of35-45. The mole percent hydrolysis on a dry basis is 87.2-89.2. The pHis 5.0-7.0, volatiles are 5% max. and ash is 0.75% max. (calculated asNa O).

CMC 4HP has a viscosity at 1% concentration of 1300- 2200 centipoises at25 C. and a range of substitution of 0.38 to 0.48.

To prevent a hard crust from forming at the air interface, if theformulation is left for more than 1 hour without a closure or cap, ithas been found advisable to include approximately 0.03% of a fattyalcohol such as cetyl or lauryl alcohol in the formulation. The fattyalcohol CH (CH OH retards water evaporation, hence crust formation.Generally a range of 0.01 to 0.3% is preferable. The fatty alcohol isnot necessary for aerosol packaging.

For some purposes, such as softening the hair, it may be desirable toinclude a lanolin or lanolin derivative in TABLE [Thickening agents with120 parts NaCl and 100 parts water-after tumbling 15 hours] Parts byViscosity 01)., weight in #6 spindle 100 parts 10 rpm.

of water Thickening agent Brooklioltl Settling Comment Example:

1 1.2 Hercules (.M( 7 II 1* high M.W. car- 43,100 No hoxyinetliylCellulose of (1.65-0.85 (11 00011 per cellulose unit. I 11.4 WSR 301Union Carbide) plmllS- 1 300 Yes Salts out of solved high M.W.polyethylene oxide. solution. 3. 3 Ml-tlioeel 4000 (Dow) 11](dlSS0lVltl2, 800 Yes Do.

high M.W. rnvtliylulutl cellulose. 7. 0 Bayrnal (Du Pout) colloidalaluminum 21. 000 \"XYSI 8.0 (nli-O-Sil ltlS-fi (Cabot) 0.05 micron13,000 b'light s1 lea. 2.5 Natrosol 250 HR (Hercules) hydroxy- 83,200 NoNo grinding.

othylatedcoilnlosio. 7 15.0 K-704 (Goodrich) polyacrylic acid. 13, 000Yes Do. 8 11.0 Polyacrylamide100(Cyanamid) poly- 21, 600 V. Si.

at-rylamide. 9 M. 0 PEP K90 (GAE) polyvinyl pyrroli- 185,000 Yes Nogrinding.

one. 1.0 Type A high M.W. gelatin Thin Yes 15. 0 Elvanol 50-42 (Du Pout)DlTdlSSOlVOd Gels -88? hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol. 3.0 Gum tragacanthXXX SA (Stein 37,600 No Hall) galactomannau polysnccharido. 4. 0 CMC 4H}? (Hercules) High M.W. 25, 500 Trace..-

cat-boxyrnetliyl cellulose, 0.38-0.48 (11 C 0 0 H per cellulose unit.

Appearance: white or off-white granules Softening point: C.- C.

Brittle temp.: 50 C.

Ash content, max. (calculated as CaO): 2.0 weight percent.

Methocel 4000 indicates that the viscosity of 2% solution at 20 C. is4000 centipoises.

Natrosol 250 HR has a viscosity at 25 C. of 1% concentration of1500-2500. The H indicates high molecular weight. The R indicates thatit has a fast dispersion. Its properties are as follows:

Ash content, percent (Calculated as Na S0 4.0 max. Bulk density, g./ml.:0.55-0.75

Color: white to light tan pH in solution: 6.5-8.5

K-704 has a Brookfield viscosity in centipoises at 78 F. of 4%concentration of 15; at 8% concentration of and at 12% concentration of600.

the formulation. Generally a level of about 1% lanolin is desirable,although a range of 0.3 to 3% is useful.

If foaming and spreading action is desired, a detergent, or surfaceactive agent such as a sulfated fatty alcohol (e.g., lauryl alcoholsulfate, decyl alcohol sulfate), a sulfated alkylphenol-ethylene oxide(e.g. ethoxylated nonyl phenol sulfate), amphoteric detergents (e.g.,N-laurylmyristyl-B-aminopropionic acid; disodium N-lauryl l5-imino-dipropionate), or an alkanol amide (e.g., lauryl diethanolamide)may be added to the formulation, preferably 0.5 to 3% of the entireformulation. For cosmetic purposes, perfume and dye may be added asrequired.

The salt utilized in the present invention is principally sodiumchloride; however, relatively non-toxic mixtures of 60% sodium chloridewith up to 40% other salts, such as KC], MgCl may be employed. Sea salt(96% NaCl) for example, is suitable despite the high content ofmagnesium, calcium, and the presence of a wide variety of metals.

EXAMPLE 14 180 grams of sodium chloride, (table salt crystals) grams ofwater 1.8 grams Hercules (Hercules Powder (30., Wilmington, Del.) 7 HPCMC, (carboxymethyl cellulose 0.65 to 0.85-COOH per cellulose unit. A1.2% solution of the polymer in water at 25 C. possesses a viscosity of4,500 cp. at 10 r.p.m. Brookfield).

The above ingredients were charged into a one liter capacity jar millhalf filled with approximately 4 inch fiintstones and tumbled 15 hoursat 45 r.p.m. The resulting slurry was then drained free of the stones. ABrookfield viscosimeter fitted with a #6 spindle was immersed in theslurry. At 10 r.p.m. the viscosity was found to be 43,000 cp.Microscopic examination revealed crystals of salt ranging from 0.00025to 0.00125 inch. Average crystal size was approximately 0.0005 inch. Thethick viscous slurry did not settle on standing one month. When appliedto freshly washed hair and permitted to remain in contact with the hairand scalp for two to five minutes before rinsing out the salt with freshwater, the formulation was found to have effected the following changesin the condition of the hair and scalp of several patients:

(1) The hair was more easily dried than usual. The drying time wasreduced by about 50%.

(2) The hair was much more manageable than is normally freshly washedhair; i.e., it can be combed and held in place without application of anoil or grease hair tonic.

EXAMPLE 15 A formulation similar to Example 14 was tumbled for varyingtimes in the jar mill:

Tumbling time,

hours Comment 1 to unground salt crystals.

2 Approximately /2 particles unground. 3 Approximately /3 particlesunground. 5 Particle sizes range substantially from 0.00025 to 0.0025inch.

7 Do. 15 Particle range substantially 0.00025 to 0.00125 inch.

This example shows that for the apparatus of Example 14 it is necessaryto grind for at least 5 hours to obtain satisfactory particle size.

EXAMPLE 16 180 grams finely divided salt (0.0005 to 0.0025 inchcrystals) was stirred into a solution of 1.8 Hercules 7 HP CMC in 150grams of water. The resultant slurry viscosity (Brookfield #6 spindle)was R.p.m.: Op. 15,800 20 11,200 50 7,000

Final particle size of the salt ranged from 0.00025 to 0.0025 inch. Theformulation did not settle on standing.

EXAMPLE 17 NaCl 180 Water 150 Cab-O-Sil MS-S [(Cabot)-0.05 micronsilica] 12 The ingredients were mixed and were ballmilled hours.

Resultant viscosity at r.p.m. Cp. l0 13,000

Some settling occurred on standing. General Aniline and Film Igepal(IO-630 (2.4 grams-nonyl phenol ethylene oxide detergent) was stirredinto the slurry. The slurry became very thick and no settling on storagewas noted.

Viscosity at r.p.m. Cp. (approx) 10 40,000 20 33,600 50 13,000

6 EXAMPLE 18 The formulation:

Salt 180 Water 150 CMC 7 HP 1.8 Cetyl alcohol 0.1

The mixture was ballmilled for 15 hours. The formulation was veryresistant to surface encrustation if permitted to stand without a cover.

EXAMPLE 19 Salt 240 Water The mixture was ballmilled 15 hours. Theslurry was drained from the stones and permitted to stand for two days.A small quantity of salt water separated and was removed. The remainingslurry did not settle on standing and was found to consist of 76% salt.

Viscosity at r.p.m. Cp. 10 8,200 20 3,500 50 1,560

EXAMPLE 20 The formulation of Example 14 was prepared and 3.3 gramsEthoxylan (Malmstrom Chemical Co., Newark, N.J., ethoxylated watersoluble lanolin which is a water and alcohol soluble emollient materialhaving skin softening characterisics. It has the followingcharacteristics) Color: Yellow Odor: Faint, pleasant Acid value (USP):1.2 max.

Saponification value (USP modified): 12-20 Hydroxyl value (A.O.C.S. Cd.13-60): 25-55 Iodine value (USP Hanus): 7-12 was stirred into 330 gm .ofthe Example 14 formulation. Hair treated with this formulation wassofter and more pliant than when the formulation of Example 14 was usedwithout the lanolin.

The ingredients were ballmilled 15 hours. Then 7.0 gm. Deriphat CGeneral Mills (50% solution of N-laurylmyristyl-fi-amino-propionic acidin water) was mixed in.

Viscosity at r.p.m. Cp. l0 31,000 20 20,000

This formulation lathers readily when rubbed into wet hair. Theformulation leaves the hair relatively free of snarls and excessiveentanglement after rinsing and drying the hair.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention and thereforethe invention is not limited to what is described in the specification,but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A composition for the treatment of hair and scalp to condition thehair and to alleviate the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalpcomprising a thick slurry consisting essentially of:

(a) 30-76 parts by Weight of at least one salt consist ing essentiallyof NaCl present in a minimum quantity of 60% by weight of the total saltcontent, and any remaining salts being selected from the groupconsisting of chlorides, potassium, magnesium and calcium, and having aparticle size less than 0.005 inch;

(b) 70-24 parts by weight of water, and

(c) a salt-compatible thickening agent in an amount up to 20 parts byweight, said slurry having a viscosity of 15,000-75,000 cp. at 10 r.p.m.Brookfield.

2. A composition according to claim 1 further comprising (d) 0.001 to0.3% of a fatty alcohol;

(e) 0.5 to 3% of a surface active agent, and

(f) 0.3 to 3% of an emollient selected from the group consisting oflanolin and ethoxylated lanolin, the percentages all being based on theentire formulation.

3. A composition in accordance with claim 2 wherein the particle size ofsaid salt lies between 0.00025 and 0.00125 inch.

4. A composition in accordance with claim 2 wherein the viscosity ofsaid slurry lies between 25,000 and 45,000 cp. at 10 r.p.m. Brookfield.

5. A composition in accordance with claim 2 wherein said fatty alcoholis of the formula CH (CH 01-1.

6. A composition in accordance with claim 5 wherein said fatty alcoholis selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol and laurylalcohol.

7. A composition in accordance with claim 2 wherein said surface activeagent is N-lauryl-rnyristyl-fl-aminopropionic acid.

8. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said thickening agent isup to 2 parts by weight of carboxymethyl cellulose having a viscosity ofa 1.2% solution in water at 25 C. of 4500 cp. and having 0.65-0.85carboxyl groups per cellulose unit to provide a resulting slurryviscosity of between 25,000 and 45,000 cp. at r.p.m. Brookfield and saidsalt has a particle size of between 0.00025 and 0.00125 inch.

9. A method of treating hair and scalp to condition the hair and toalleviate the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp comprisingapplying an effective amount of a slurry of (a) 30-76 parts by weight ofat least one salt consisting essentially of NaCl present in a minimumquantity of 60% by weight of the total satlt content, and any remainingsalts being selected from the group consisting of chlorides, potassium,magnesium and calcium, and having a particle size less than 0.005 inch;and

(b) 70-24 parts by weight of water, said slurry having a viscosity of900075,000 cp. at 10 r.p.m. Brookfield, to the hair and scalp for aperiod of at least 2 minutes followed by rinsing the hair and scalp withwater.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein said slurry furtherincludes (c) suflicient salt-compatible thickening agent to provide aslurry viscosity of 15,000-75,000 cp. at 10 r.p.m. Brookfield.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein said slurry contains 76% ofsaid salt content.

12. A method according to claim 10 wherein said thickening agent is upto 2 parts by Weight of carboxymethyl cellulose having a viscosity of a1.2% solution in Water at 25 C. of 4500 Cp. and having 0.65-0.85carboxyl groups per cellulose unit to provide a resulting slurryviscosity of between 25,000 and 45,000 cp. at 10 r.p.m. Brookfield andsaid salt has a particle size of between 0.00025 and 0.00125 inch.

13. A composition for the treatment of hair and scalp to condition thehair and to alleviate the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalpcomprising a thick slurry consisting essentially of:

(a) 200 grams of salt consisting essentially of NaCl present in aminimum quantity of 60% by weight of the total salt content, and anyremaining salt being selected from the group consisting of chlorides ofpotassium, magnesium and calcium, and having a particle size less than0.005 inch;

(b) grams of water;

(0) 2.3 grams of carboxymethyl cellulose having a viscosity of a 1.2%solution in water at 25 C. of 4500 cp. and having 0.65-0.85 carboxylgroups per cellulose unit; and

(d) 7 grams of a 50% aqueous solution ofN-laurylmyristyl-fi-aminopropionic acid; said slurry having a viscosityof 31,000 cp. at 10 r.p.m. Brookfield.

14. A method of treating hair and scalp to condition the hair and toalleviate the symptoms of seborrheic determatitis of the scalpcomprising applying thereto an effective amount of a slurry of:

(a) 200 grams of salt consisting essentially of NaCl present in aminimum quantity of 60% by Weight of the total salt content, and anyremaining salt being selected from the group consisting of chlorides ofpotassium, magnesium and calcium, and having a particle size less than0.005 inch;

(b) 150 grams of water;

(0) 2.3 grams of carboxymethyl cellulose having a viscosity of a 1.2%solution in water at 25 C. of 4500 cp. and having 0.65-0.85 carboxylgroups per cellu lose unit; and

(d) 7 grams of a 50% aqueous solution ofN-laurylmyristyl-fl-aminopropionic acid; said slurry having a viscosityof 3l,000 cp. at 10 r.p.m. Brookfield.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 42,311 4/1364 Rose l67872,773,834 12/1956 Henkin 167-87X 3,071,514 1/1963 Phillips et al. l67873,090,727 5/ 1963 Carter l6787 3,329,595 7/1967 Barbato et al 204128X3,137,624 6/1964 Foley 424153 FOREIGN PATENTS 809,689 3/1959 GreatBritain l6787 701,273 1/1931 France l6787 1,030,513 5/1958 Germany l67871,040,750 10/1958 Germany l6787 OTHER REFERENCES Nature, vol. 169, April1952, pp. 662-663. Mapstone, Journal of the Society of CosmeticChemists, vol. 12, No. 4, May 1961, pp. 239-243.

ALBERT T. MEYERS, Primary Examiner V. C. CLARKE, Assistant Examiner U.S.Cl. X.R.

